The Matchday 2 clash of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 group stage between Borussia Dortmund (Germany) and Athletic Bilbao (Spain) will take place on October 1 at Signal Iduna Park. Borussia Dortmund vs. Athletic Bilbao: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Borussia Dortmund
In the first round, Niko Kovac's team was close to an away victory against Juventus, but they squandered a two-goal lead in stoppage time (4-4). Nevertheless, Borussia Dortmund has remained unbeaten in seven of their last eight Champions League matches (4 wins, 3 draws). Additionally, the team scored more than three goals for the first time in their last 13 European fixtures. In the group stage standings, the Germans are in 15th place. Notably, in their last 13 home matches against Spanish clubs, Dortmund has suffered only two defeats (7 wins, 4 draws).
- The club has not lost in 6 of their last 7 home matches in the Champions League (4 wins, 2 draws).
- The team has conceded in 6 of their previous 8 home matches in this tournament.
- At least three goals were scored in 9 of Dortmund's last 11 Champions League matches.
Predicted lineup for Borussia Dortmund (3-4-3)
Gregor Kobel – Julian Ryerson, Waldemar Anton, Ramy Bensebaini – Yan Couto, Felix Nmecha, Job Bellingham, Daniel Svensson – Karim Adeyemi, Serhou Guirassy, Maximilian Bayer.
Defenders Aaron Anselmino and Emre Can will miss the game due to injuries.
Athletic Bilbao
Ernesto Valverde's team suffered a 0-2 home defeat to Arsenal in the first round, conceding both goals late in the match. As a result, Athletic Bilbao has lost three consecutive European matches, conceding at least two goals in each. Furthermore, the club has failed to score in three of their last five European encounters. The Spaniards are in 32nd place in the group stage standings. It's worth noting that Athletic has not lost to German Bundesliga clubs in six consecutive European matches (4 wins, 2 draws).
- The team has not won in 6 of their last 8 away European matches (2 draws, 4 losses).
- Both teams scored in 7 of the club's last 9 away European matches.
- The Spaniards have scored exactly 1 or 2 goals in 7 of their last 8 away European matches.
Predicted lineup for Athletic Bilbao (4-3-3)
Unai Simon – Yuri Berchiche, Daniel Vivian, Aymeric Laporte, Jesus Areso – Unai Gomez, Mikel Jauregi, Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta – Robert Navarro, Gorka Guruzeta, Inaki Williams.
Forward Nico Williams, midfielders Mikel Vesga and Benat Prados, as well as striker Alex Berenguer, will miss the match due to injuries.
Referee
Szymon Marciniak (Poland)
Matches – 14 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 48;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.4;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 36%.
Match Prediction: Borussia Dortmund vs. Athletic Bilbao
In the first round, Dortmund excelled in attack, scoring four goals in Turin. Overall, Borussia plays high-scoring football, and in their last 13 home Champions League matches, they failed to score only twice. Moreover, in seven of these games, the club's players have scored at least twice. On the other hand, the Germans are not strong defensively, with only two clean sheets in their last eight home matches in this tournament.
Athletic struggled in attack during their home game against Arsenal in the first round, but the team has the potential to improve in this area. Moreover, Bilbao has been scoring regularly even on the road: in their last 11 away Champions League encounters, the Spaniards failed to score in only one match. At the same time, they have conceded in 7 of their last 9 away matches in this tournament.
I expect both teams to score in this match, and my prediction: Both teams to score – Yes
